Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Clearfield County Courthouse
1 North Second Street
PO Box 549
Clearfield, PA 16830
Phone: 814-765-2641 Ext: 5014
Fax: 814-765-7649
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Phone: 814-765-2641 Ext: 5013
Register & Recorder Phone: 814-765-2641 Ext: 5012
Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphan's Court Phone: 814-765-2641
Clearfield County Website
County Register and Recorder has birth and death records 1893-1905 and marriage records from 1885
Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records from 1828
County Recorder has probate records from 1875
County Comm has land records[3]
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1885 | 1893 | 1828 | 1805 | 1875 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Pennsylvania county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Pennsylvania County Boundary Maps" (1673-1878) may be viewed at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are locations in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania:
A listing of the Towns, Boroughs, and Villages of Clearfield County can be found at Clearfield County PAGenWeb Project - Towns Boroughs Villages
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Additional Cemetery Resources
- 1700-1950 Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Cemetery Abstracts at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images (incomplete)
- Pennsylvania Genealogy
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1810 | 875 | — |
| 1820 | 2,342 | 167.7% |
| 1830 | 4,803 | 105.1% |
| 1840 | 7,834 | 63.1% |
| 1850 | 12,586 | 60.7% |
| 1860 | 18,759 | 49.0% |
| 1870 | 25,741 | 37.2% |
| 1880 | 43,408 | 68.6% |
| 1890 | 69,565 | 60.3% |
| 1900 | 80,614 | 15.9% |
| 1910 | 93,768 | 16.3% |
| 1920 | 103,236 | 10.1% |
| 1930 | 86,727 | −16.0% |
| 1940 | 92,094 | 6.2% |
| 1950 | 85,957 | −6.7% |
| 1960 | 81,534 | −5.1% |
| 1970 | 74,619 | −8.5% |
| 1980 | 83,578 | 12.0% |
| 1990 | 78,097 | −6.6% |
| 2000 | 83,380 | 6.8% |
| 2010 | 81,642 | −2.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. For members, they may contain: age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage date and maiden name; death/burial date. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, see Pennsylvania Church Records.
- 1620-1991 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Congregational Records, 1620-1991(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
County-wide Database - Multi-denominational
- 1708-1985 Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – $, free to members of the society; Also available at Ancestry $
- Contains church records of:
- Clearfield: United Methodist Church; West Side United Methodist Church
- DuBois: Lebanon Lutheran Church
- Houtzdale: Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church; St. John's Lutheran Church
- Kylertown: Kylertown Presbyterian Church
- Morrisdale: United Methodist Church
- Osceola Mills: Osceola Mills Presbyterian Church
- Wallaceton: United Methodist Church
- Winburne: Winburne Presbyterian Church
- Woodward: Beulah Presbyterian Church
- Clearfield County Church History at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives Includes histories and photos.
Catholic
- "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843 -1943". Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, 17:1. FamilySearch Library book 974.8 B2wg. Contains chronology, map, county-by-county information.
Quaker
- 1800s-1900s Pennsylvania Quaker Records at Ancestry $
Reformed
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
For information about records kept in the Orphan's court, Prothonotary Court, Court of Common Pleas, and other courts in counties of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Court Records Wiki page.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
For online resources, passenger lists, and specific groups coming to Pennsylvania, see Pennsylvania Emigration and Immigration.
- 1798-1828 Pennsylvania Landing Reports of Aliens, 1798-1828 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Alphabet index then by numbered entry
- 1900-1923 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Case Files of Chinese Immigrants, 1900-1923 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1952-1957 Pennsylvania, Crew Lists arriving at Erie, 1952-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
For groups that came, see People section of the Pennsylvania Emigration page.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
The Orphan's Court ensures the best interests of those not capable of handling their own affairs: minors, incapacitated persons, decedents' estates, and more.[7]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a specific location and reveal family relationships. Records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, maps and more. For more information, see Pennsylvania Land and Property.
Land records in Clearfield County began in 1805. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1804 -1935 Deeds, 1805-1901; Index, 1804-1935. FHL 1436392 (first of 80 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1986–present Clearfield County offers online access to indexes. Fees apply to view images.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Present and Past. 1925. By Thomas Lincoln Wall. Clearfield, Pennsylvania : T.L. Wall. Online at: Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives, Ancestry ($)' At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania : With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. 1887. Edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich. Syracuse, N. Y. : D. Mason. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens. 1911. By Roland D. Swoope. Chicago, Illinois : Richmond-Arnold Publishing. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images from the Clearfield Co. Township Warrantee Maps by Ed Heary. These map images belong to us and are not be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attrbiute to Ancestor Tracks.
- Clearfield County Maps at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives including Clearfield County Clickable USGS Township Map.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1865-1936 Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1865-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
World War II
- 1933-1947 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, World War II Casualty Cards, 1933-1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Clearfield County Military Records at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives. WWII Soldiers killed in action, missing in action, prisoners of war and wounded.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
- 1795-1931 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1795-1931 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1795-1952 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Naturalization Indexes, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1805-1906 Naturalization Petitions and Alien Dockets FHL film 1463029 (first of 15 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1820-1906 Index to Declarations and Petitions in the Western District of Pennsylvania, US Circuit and District Courts located in US Naturalization Records Indexes, 1794-1995 database on Ancestry $
- 1820-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537, incomplete for all counties
- 1820-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania located in Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974 database on Ancestry $
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Newspapers may contain obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings. Newspapers are often found in local or university libraries, historical or genealogical societies, or state archives in the area where the newspaper was published. See Pennsylvania Newspapers for more information.
Newspapers of Clearfield County
Online Newspapers
To learn if there are newspapers online for a specific town or city in Pennsylvania, see news.google.com/newspapers and search for the town or the name of a newspaper.
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Pennsylvania Civil War Era Newspaper Collection available through the Penn State University Library.
Democratic Banner 9 October 1845-14 February 1849
Country Dollas 20 June 1849 -26 July 1850
Clearfield Republican 14 Nov 1851 - 30 Dec 1854; 7 April 1858 - 5 July 1865. - Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Clearfield County.
Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts
- County Review, DuBois Area Historical Society (DuBois, PA), compiled by Shirley Clark, The County Review, December 1881 to September 1883 (DuBois, PA:DuBois Area Historical Society, c1990) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.861 B3c
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
- 1947-2021 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Online Obituary Abstracts
- PA-Roots Obituaries of Clearfield County.
- Clearfield County Obituaries at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts
- Mignot, Margaret Billotte, History of the French Settlers in Covington and Girard Townships, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania (1981?] At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.861 D2m. Includes some obituaries.
- Wion, John H. and Democratic Watchman (Bellefonte, PA), Deaths in Central Pennsylvania; an Index to the Obituaries Appearing in the Democratic Watchman, Bellefonte, Pa (S.I.:s.n., 1969) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.8 V4w volumes 1,2 An alphabetical listing with name and death date.
- County Review (Clearfield County, PA), DuBois Area Historical Society (DuBois, PA), compiiled by Shirley Clark, The County Review, December 1881 to September 1883 (DuBois, Pennsylvania:DuBois Area Historical Society, c1990) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.861 B3c
Other Records[edit | edit source]
- Clearfield County photos at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Clearfield County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683 -1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
- 1683 -1994 Pennsylvania Probate Records 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1823-1919 Clearfield County Probate Records - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1520-1999 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1709-1950 Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1852 Clearfield County Birth Index 1852 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C543912 [8]
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Births, 1852-1854 Index with images. Ancestry ($).
- 1941-1963 Clearfield County Birth Index 1941-1963 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C543901
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySerch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Clearfield County Birth Records by last name at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Clearfield County Courthouse
- 1512-1989 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1512-1989 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($)
- 1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1682-1976 Pennsylvania, Church Marriages, 1682-1976 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1709-1940 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1947-2021 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Death[edit | edit source]
Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For indexes and records, 1906 and later, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1891-1906 Clearfield County Marriage Index 1891-1906 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- Clearfield County PA USGenWeb Archives Death Register Page
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary, Clearfield County Courthouse.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Bedford County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
National Archives at Philadelphia
14700 Townsend Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096
Phone: 215-305-2044
Fax: 215-305-2052
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Brookville Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Indiana Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Knox Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Cameron County Historical Society - an affiliate library.
- Monongahela Area Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Clearfield County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Martinsburg Community Library
201 South Walnut Street
Martinsburg, PA 16662-1129
Phone: 814-793-3335
Fax: 814-793-9755
Email: mclibrary@atlanticbbn.net
Website
Roller-Hojeth Memorial Library
431 Scotch Valley Rd.
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: 814-696-3492
Website
Collection covers Blair and surrounding counties, particularly Huntingdon, Cambria, and Bedford Counties.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Clearfield County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Clearfield County Historical Society
104 East Pine St
Clearfield, PA 16830
Phone: 814-768-7318
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Clearfield County PA USGenWeb Project
- Linkpendium - Clearfield County
- Clearfield County PA Genealogy
- Clearfield County PA-Roots Genealogy Project
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearfield_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/1/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, p.589
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/img_auth.php/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
